Menu
01/12/2015
Man Arrested In Connection With David Clarke Murder Released
A man arrested in connection with the murder of David Clarke in 2001 has been released pending further enquiries.
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday in north Belfast.
Mr Clarke, who had learning difficulties, was beaten in his flat on the Forthriver Road in the early hours of 06 June. His body was found by friends who forced their way into the first floor flat after he hadn't been seen all day.
The officer leading the renewed investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson from Serious Crime Branch, said: "Sometime between midnight and 4am on 6 June, entry was forced into the flat and David was attacked. This was an assault which became increasingly frenzied and resulted in David's death.
"The individuals in the flat smashed its fixtures and fittings and David's ornaments. We believe David had retreated into his bedroom for safety where he was savagely beaten and died.
"I have been a police officer for 28 years and a murder detective for 13 of those years. Apart from the wounds sustained by gunshot victims, David's injuries are the worst I have seen. This was a frenzied and savage attack."
In the weeks leading up to his murder, David is believed to have been bullied, however he did not report the incidents to the police.
DCI Dickson said: "I believe David was bullied because he was different, nothing else. I believe the bullying went too far and the assault turned into a frenzy. There were a number of people present in the flat at the time of the assault, including a woman.
"The information needed to apprehend David's killer, or killers, lies within the local community at Forthriver and Glencairn. The community took David to its heart: people helped to pay for his funeral, his grave is tended to this day by locals and his old flat is now a community centre known locally as Clarke House."
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday in north Belfast.
Mr Clarke, who had learning difficulties, was beaten in his flat on the Forthriver Road in the early hours of 06 June. His body was found by friends who forced their way into the first floor flat after he hadn't been seen all day.
The officer leading the renewed investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson from Serious Crime Branch, said: "Sometime between midnight and 4am on 6 June, entry was forced into the flat and David was attacked. This was an assault which became increasingly frenzied and resulted in David's death.
"The individuals in the flat smashed its fixtures and fittings and David's ornaments. We believe David had retreated into his bedroom for safety where he was savagely beaten and died.
"I have been a police officer for 28 years and a murder detective for 13 of those years. Apart from the wounds sustained by gunshot victims, David's injuries are the worst I have seen. This was a frenzied and savage attack."
In the weeks leading up to his murder, David is believed to have been bullied, however he did not report the incidents to the police.
DCI Dickson said: "I believe David was bullied because he was different, nothing else. I believe the bullying went too far and the assault turned into a frenzy. There were a number of people present in the flat at the time of the assault, including a woman.
"The information needed to apprehend David's killer, or killers, lies within the local community at Forthriver and Glencairn. The community took David to its heart: people helped to pay for his funeral, his grave is tended to this day by locals and his old flat is now a community centre known locally as Clarke House."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 April 2024
Ministers Welcome Launch Of £1.1m East Belfast Redevelopment
Ministers have welcomed the start of an ambitious new, £1.1 million redevelopment project aimed at improving community relations and tackling homelessness in East Belfast.
Ministers Welcome Launch Of £1.1m East Belfast Redevelopment
Ministers have welcomed the start of an ambitious new, £1.1 million redevelopment project aimed at improving community relations and tackling homelessness in East Belfast.
09 February 2024
PSNI Holds Urgent Meeting On North Belfast Hate Crime Incidents
The PSNI's District Policing Command has hosted a urgent meeting of the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership to address an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the North Belfast area.
PSNI Holds Urgent Meeting On North Belfast Hate Crime Incidents
The PSNI's District Policing Command has hosted a urgent meeting of the North Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership to address an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the North Belfast area.
09 April 2024
Police Attacked By Young People In West Belfast
The PSNI have condemned the assault of four police officers when they were attacked by young people in West Belfast. At around 6:50pm on Saturday, 06 April, police received a report in relation to community concerns that a large group of young people had congregated in Falls Park and that alcohol was being consumed by children.
Police Attacked By Young People In West Belfast
The PSNI have condemned the assault of four police officers when they were attacked by young people in West Belfast. At around 6:50pm on Saturday, 06 April, police received a report in relation to community concerns that a large group of young people had congregated in Falls Park and that alcohol was being consumed by children.
24 April 2024
Education Minister Welcomes Cross-Community Cycling Initiative
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed a new cross-community cycling initiative in Dromore, spearheaded by the PSNI. With the support of a local bicycle shop, pupils from Dromore Central Primary School and St Colman's Primary School have been fixing up used bicycles then donating them to two charities who give them out to local families.
Education Minister Welcomes Cross-Community Cycling Initiative
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed a new cross-community cycling initiative in Dromore, spearheaded by the PSNI. With the support of a local bicycle shop, pupils from Dromore Central Primary School and St Colman's Primary School have been fixing up used bicycles then donating them to two charities who give them out to local families.
18 April 2024
43 Groups Awarded £1.25m Assets Recovery Community Scheme Funding
The Justice Minister has announced the allocation of £1.25 million for community investment programmes through the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) The ARCS funding has been allocated to 43 projects and will be delivered over three years.
43 Groups Awarded £1.25m Assets Recovery Community Scheme Funding
The Justice Minister has announced the allocation of £1.25 million for community investment programmes through the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) The ARCS funding has been allocated to 43 projects and will be delivered over three years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
